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Topic Review (Newest First)

02-02-2013 08:55 PM

AFX

Nicely done. I'd like to ask you a few quick questions if I could.I'm new to this as of Nov and don't have any local instruction. Self teaching and gathering info.
1-What adhesive did you use on your dash pads?
Did you staple the backside or glue?
How is the adhesive holding up?
2-What did you use to fill and plane the speaker hole on the large dash pad?
3- What was your method on fabing the arm rests?

And hats off to everyones compliments toward you. Positivity!

02-01-2013 10:23 AM

John Se

I know some guys that maintain a Museum of cars, (all very rare) they have cars worth anywhere from $100,000 to 16 Million give or take a few. They will routinely pay 10,000 to do the interior on a restoration. The quality of the work is EVERYTHING, the cost not so much. Your work looks Grade A+, You should charge what the market will bear.

01-18-2013 09:57 AM

DanTwoLakes

The waste factor for good leather hides used for upholstery is only 10% to 15%. You are figuring 25% waste, which would be a worst case scenario with a lower quality hide.

Yes, I know there are hides larger than 45 to 55 square feet, but 70 square feet is not normal. That's why I said "average".

01-18-2013 08:24 AM

duh57

Dan that why if you need 1 yard of vinyl you can estimate and order 18 sq/ft of leather due to the waste factor, by the way i have used austrailian hides that average 70 sq/ft. Thnaks for the reply

01-18-2013 07:14 AM

DanTwoLakes

You are correct, vinyl, and all other roll goods, are measured by the running yard, which is 3' by 4 1/2' , but that comes out to 13 1/2 square feet, not 18 square feet.

The rule of thumb is that the average hide is 45 to 55 square feet, which is equivalent to 3 yards of roll goods due to the waste factor when using leather.

You can use mineral spirits, or Xylol. Xylol is the same thing as mineral spirits, but it costs a lot more. They won't hurt the leather.

01-14-2013 09:18 AM

crsweet91

No problem. For removing the excess adhesive off leather what should I use? Should I pick up the 3m adhesive remover?

01-14-2013 07:21 AM

DanTwoLakes

No, my comments were not directed at you. I had a bad day on Friday and took it out here. Once again I apologize, my comments were wrong.

01-13-2013 11:39 PM

crsweet91

Just checking this now since I posted. Not really sure what the ^above comments are about. Looks like some got deleted. If they were intended toward me sorry if I gave off the impression that upholstery was "easy". Im the last person that will say upholstery is easy, Its very difficult and underappreciated. I know Im trying to teach myself, maybe that makes it seem as if I think its easy. Im no dummy though, I tend to comprehend things better than most people and have skills most people dont have. I take learning and doing this type of work seriously.

I just simply wanted to make sure I was on the right track with estimating out leather. Havent used it much yet. Hides cost a lot of $$$ and its kind of intimidating making sure I get the correct amount ordered. I know its "basic math". I estimated out the sqft in a yard of vinyl and then figured out how much is in say a 55sqft hide. Always nice to double check and get the opinion of someone whos been doing this for years and is a proffessional.

Anyways I always appreciate any answers to questions I have, theyre always helpful.

Heres another one that would help me out. What is good for removing excess adhesive off leather? Doesnt come off as easy as on vinyl.

This is what I just did in leather along with dash pad, visors and door carpets. PVC board as suggested by Dan really helped me out with these. My new favorite material.

What I started with.

01-10-2013 07:28 AM

DanTwoLakes

Yes, you are right John. My comment were much too harsh and I apologize.

01-09-2013 09:18 PM

John long

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

Sorry, but everybody thinks upholstery work is easy. None of you has a clue what is good work and what is bad, and you never will. You think if the colors coordinate it's a good job.

Don't you think you are being a little hard on guys who have been around this hobby and loved it for much of their lives?

John L

01-09-2013 08:44 PM

DanTwoLakes

The average leather hide is 48 to 55 square feet. Fabric, or vinyl, or anything else (other than leather) is measured by the running yard, which is 54" tall and 36" wide. That makes a leather hide about equal to three yards of vinyl, including the waste factor.

A bench seat and rear seat, done in leather, will take about 2 1/2 to 3 hides.

01-09-2013 06:50 PM

crsweet91

So I finally did some work in leather, almost finished with all of it. And after using leather I really dont ever want to touch vinyl again, so much nicer to work with.

Im trying to figure out how much leather I would need for a set of buckets or something like a bench seat. Whats the usual amount required for that? I have an idea of how much in vinyl, but Im kind of unsure on converting that amount to sqft of leather.

12-02-2012 04:43 PM

noobbiker

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanTwoLakes

You wouldn't believe what passes for "professional" or "custom" upholstery work now days.

Yep. I saw a buddy of mine pay 50.00 to cover the center console/arm rest/cubby cover of his car. It's two pieces, probably 2.5"x9" each. I'm pretty sure I could have done a better job if I did it myself. Obviously, he was in a rush to get onto a real job.

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